Shallow Marine Basin Research Articles

Mineral forms of phosphorus in ooidal iron ores of the Marsyaty deposit (Northern Urals)

Horizons enriched in phosphorus are identifed in ooidal ironstones underlying the oxide-carbonate manganese ores of the Marsyaty deposit (Northern Urals). The maximum P2O5 content reaches 6.37 wt. % in a quartz sandstone interbed with ooids consisting of Fe3+ oxyhydroxides and is associated with authigenic fuorapatite. In iron oxyhydroxide ooidal ores, phosphorus is present mainly as apatite, which forms massive and radial zones in both the ooids and the matrix. In siderite ooidal ores, the phosphate minerals include apatite and hydrous Al and Ca silicate-phosphates, possibly a mineral of the crandallite-goyazite series and perhamite. They occur as radial aggregates emphasizing the zonation of carbonate ooids and common in the matrix. Phosphorus is also part of an authigenic rhabdophane-like mineral flling the radial and concentric cracks in iron oxyhydroxide ooids. Some phosphorus is associated with detrital monazite and apatite. Phosphorus for the formation of phosphates was most likely sourced from organic relics, whereas seawater and minerals unstable under sedimentation and diagenesis conditions were the source of cations. The formation of crystalline phosphates is associated with diagenetic processes, during which the organic relics were fermented and replaced by mineral phases, while the minerals metastable in shallow marine basin were decomposed with desorption of elements captured by Fe3+oxyhydroxides from seawater.

Hematite U-Pb dating of Snowball Earth meltwater events

The Snowball Earth hypothesis predicts global ice cover; however, previous descriptions of Cryogenian (720-635 Ma) glacial deposits are limited to continental margins and shallow marine basins. The Tavakaiv (Tava) sandstone injectites and ridges in Colorado, USA, preserve a rare terrestrial record of Cryogenian low-latitude glaciation. Injectites, ridges, and chemically weathered crystalline rock display features characteristic of fluidization and pervasive deformation in a subglacial environment due to glacial loading, fluid overpressure, and repeated sand injection during meltwater events. In situ hematite U-Pb geochronology on hematite-quartz veins, which crosscut and are cut by Tava dikes, constrain sand injection at ~690-660 Ma. We attribute early Tava sand injection episodes to basal melting associated with rifting and geothermal heating, and later injections to meltwater generation during ~661 Ma Sturtian deglaciation. A modern analog is provided by the Ross Embayment of Antarctica, where rift-related faults border sediment-filled basins, overpressurized fluids circulate in confined aquifers below ice, and extensive preglacial topography is preserved. Field evidence and geochronology in Colorado further highlight that deep chemical weathering of Proterozoic bedrock and denudation associated with the Great Unconformity predate Cryogenian injection of fluidized sand, consistent with limited glacial erosion.

Soil development trajectories, chemical weathering and pedogenic mineral (trans)formation on glauconitic calcarenites in a Mediterranean area

Glauconite forms in shallow marine basins under oxic to suboxic conditions. It is an Fe-rich sheet silicate often found in calcareous sandstones. How soils evolve on glauconitic sandstones (calcarenite) is poorly addressed: therefore, we investigated the evolutional trajectories. These soils should be enriched in Fe, depleted in K and contain kaolinite and smectite resulting from weathering. We investigated 11 soil profiles on glauconitic calcarenite in a Mediterranean area. The elemental contents, fractions of Fe and Al, soil mineralogy, magnetic susceptibility and stable isotopic composition (C, O) of the bulk soil and carbonates were analysed to explore pedogenesis.The carbonates reflect a former marine basin having onshore organic matter resulting from freshwater input. With soil formation, the primary carbonates were replaced by pedogenic carbonates having a lower δ13C and δ18O signal. Several sites were influenced by human activity since ancient times, reflected by the magnetic susceptibility. The shallow soils had a low weathering degree (CIA of 55 to 70). The better developed Vertisols exhibited a CIA value of up to 85. All soils contained smectite and quartz and, depending on the weathering degree, calcite. Kaolinite formation was connected to high Ca, K, Mg and Na losses. The high oxalate- and dithionite-extractable Fe contents are explained by glauconite weathering. Kaolinite is inherited from the parent material but also actively forms in the soils probably through precipitation from soil water. Due to the presence of smectite and oxyhydroxides the soils sequester a high amount of soil organic carbon (up to 30 kg/m2). Topography exerts a distinct influence on weathering and soil formation. Deepest soils and an advanced weathering stage were measured on footslope sites and shallow soils having a low weathering degree on crest/shoulder sites. Soils on glauconitic calcarenite represent a unique weathering environment that should be investigated even more at the micro-scale.

High resolution optical and acoustic remote sensing datasets of the Puck Lagoon

The very shallow marine basin of Puck Lagoon in the southern Baltic Sea, on the Northern coast of Poland, hosts valuable benthic habitats and cultural heritage sites. These include, among others, protected Zostera marina meadows, one of the Baltic’s major medieval harbours, a ship graveyard, and likely other submerged features that are yet to be discovered. Prior to this project, no comprehensive high-resolution remote sensing data were available for this area. This article describes the first Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) derived from a combination of airborne bathymetric LiDAR, multibeam echosounder, airborne photogrammetry and satellite imagery. These datasets also include multibeam echosounder backscatter and LiDAR intensity, allowing determination of the character and properties of the seafloor. Combined, these datasets are a vital resource for assessing and understanding seafloor morphology, benthic habitats, cultural heritage, and submerged landscapes. Given the significance of Puck Lagoon’s hydrographical, ecological, geological, and archaeological environs, the high-resolution bathymetry, acquired by our project, can provide the foundation for sustainable management and informed decision-making for this area of interest.

Genesis of Devonian volcanic-associated Lahn-Dill-type iron ores — part I: iron mobilisation and mineralisation style

Fe-oxide deposits of the Lahn-Dill-type in the eastern Rhenish Massif comprise haematite and quartz with minor siderite, magnetite, and calcite. The deposits are located in the hanging wall of thick volcaniclastic rock sequences and mark the Middle to Late Devonian boundary. Varying ore types with accompanying footwall rocks were sampled from two formerly important ore deposits, the Fortuna mine (Lahn syncline) and the Briloner Eisenberg mine (East Sauerland anticline), in order to elucidate the interplay of processes leading to ore formation. Deposit geology, petrography, and whole-rock geochemistry suggest that the ores formed by iron mobilisation from deeply altered footwall volcaniclastic rocks, subsequent venting of a modified H2O-CO2-Fe-rich and H2S-poor fluid, and precipitation on the seafloor (sedimentary-type), or locally by metasomatic replacement of wall rocks (replacement-type). Petrographic analysis to the sub-micron scale revealed that the sedimentary-type ores most likely formed from a Fe-Si-rich gel and accompanying maturation. Early gel textures include the presence of spherules, aggregates, tubes, and filamentous stalks consisting of nanocrystalline haematite dispersed in a matrix of microcrystalline quartz. Local diagenetic Fe3+ reduction within the gel is indicated by siderite replacement of haematite. Replacement-type ores formed due to a two-step process including coprecipitation of (precursor) haematite and carbonates and subsequent metasomatic replacement by haematite. These ore-forming processes took place during a time when several restricted shallow marine basins in the north-eastern Rheic Ocean were influenced by extensive volcanism and associated hydrothermal fluid flux. Examples of similar volcanic-associated Fe-oxide occurrences of Silurian to Carboniferous age can be categorised as being of Lahn-Dill-type ores as well.

PALEOCENE GLAUCONITE OF THE NEAR-VOLGA MONOCLINE OF SUBMARINE VOLCANIC-SEDIMENTARY GENESIS

A new concept of the formation of glauconite from the Paleocene deposits of the sedimentary cover of the southwestern part of the Near-Volga monocline is presented – it was formed as a result of halmyrolysis of ash material in lake conditions. Glauconitization is confined to the Paleogene thermal maximum and the periphery of active volcanism along the entire mobile belt. In this connection, it is widely distributed in the Paleogene deposits. Structural and crystal-chemical features of glauconite, stages of crystallization of its aggregates, paragenetic associations with smectite, kaolinite, and zeolite, as well as the presence of ore minerals, indicate its authigenic origin. The authigenic origin is confined to the formations of temporary, episodically submerging shallow marine basins. An applied scheme of discrimination of glauconites by their crystallochemical features has been developed. The discrimination diagram can be used to determine the specific conditions of the sedimentation basin, which are expressed in the progradation cycles of glauconite accumulation. The cycles were controlled by induced depressions within the Russian plate.

Paleocene Glauconite of the Near-Volga Monocline of Submarine Volcanic Sedimentary Genesis

A new concept of the formation of glauconite from the Paleocene deposits of the sedimentary cover of the southwestern part of the Near-Volga monocline is presented. It was formed as a result of halmyrolysis of ash material in lake conditions. Glauconitization is confined to the Paleogene thermal maximum and the periphery of active volcanism along the entire mobile belt. In this connection, it is widely distributed in the Paleogene deposits. Structural and crystal-chemical features of glauconite, stages of crystallization of its aggregates, paragenetic associations with smectite, kaolinite, and zeolite, as well as the presence of ore minerals indicate its authigenic origin. The authigenic origin is confined to the formations of temporary, episodically submerging shallow marine basins. An applied scheme of discrimination of glauconites by their crystallochemical features has been developed. The discrimination diagram can be used to determine the specific conditions of the sedimentation basin, which are expressed in the progradation cycles of glauconite accumulation. The cycles were controlled by induced depressions within the Russian plate.

High primary productivity in an Ediacaran shallow marine basin influenced by strong seasonal to perennial upwelling

AbstractA significant area of late Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian seafloor hosted a ferruginous to euxinic condition as a result of expanded primary productivity-driven pumping of organic matter into subsurface water column and weak water column mixing in the concomitant sea. However, the cause and extent of increased marine primary productivity during this time interval remain unknown. To estimate the primary productivity in a late Neoproterozoic sea, this study investigated the Sirbu Shale, Vindhyan Supergroup, for trace elements, organic carbon isotopes and total organic carbon (TOC). Among the trace elements, cadmium (Cd), known for extremely low concentration in crustal rocks but higher abundance in biogenic organic matter, was the key parameter in the palaeoproductivity estimation. The Cd enrichment in the Sirbu Shale samples is comparable to that in modern marine sediments of the oxygen minimum zones in Chilean margins, Arabian Sea and Gulf of California characterized by high primary productivity and seasonal upwelling. In terms of Cd enrichment, the lower section of the Sirbu Shale was deposited under suboxic conditions, while the upper section was deposited under a relatively less reducing condition. Cd/Mo ratios > 0.36 in the shale sample indicate that the palaeoproductivity was strongly influenced by the nutrient supply through sea-shelf upwelling. Using non-detrital enrichment of Cd in Sirbu Shale samples, we calculated that the TOC exported to the floor of Sirbu Shale palaeodepositional setting through primary productivity ranged from 0.71 to 10.16%.

Geological and energy potential analysis of Küplüce-Gökçesu basin rich in coal and other potential energy resources

The Küplüce-Gökçesu Basin, located in northwestern Anatolia, is an Eocene-aged shallow marine basin known for its rich carbonaceous sediments. The basin is underlined by Paleozoic metamorphic rocks, granites from the Sakarya Massif, and Jurassic-Upper Cretaceous turbiditic and carbonate rocks. The sedimentary deposits in the basin consist of two main lithological units, namely, the Tokmaklar and Sazlar Formations. The Tokmaklar Formation comprises marl, bituminous marl, clayey bituminous limestone, Nummulite limestone, and marl-clay-sandstone successions. Economic coal formations are found at the base of the Tokmaklar Formation, along with bituminous limestone and marl. The Sazlar Formation is composed of thick layered sandy limestones and marls, deposited in reefal conditions. Previous studies conducted in the 1980 s estimated the coal reserves in the Küplüce-Gökçesu Basin to be around 40 million tons. However, this study reveals the discovery of a new coal seam that was not previously identified, with a potential thickness of approximately 11 m. This discovery suggests that the coal reserves in the region could be significantly larger than previously known, potentially 5-6 times greater. The quality of the Küplüce-Gökçesu coals is classified as semi-bituminous hard coal of the lower bituminous coal group, based on chemical analysis results. This study contributes to the understanding of the geology and coal potential of Eocene basins in Anatolia and provides valuable information for future exploration and exploitation activities.

India-Antarctica collisional ridge structure below Nellore Schist and Eastern Ghats Belts as revealed by seismic studies

In Columbia, Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinental assembly periods, eastern margin of India lay quite close to the east Antarctica. During these periods, this region underwent prolonged sedimentation, magmatism, oceanic subduction, multiple accretion and continent-continent collision which have left their imprints in the geological and geophysical observations. In the present study, we have analyzed crustal seismic velocity structure along the DSS profiles located in the eastern part of the Indian shield that cuts across the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin, Godavari and Mahanadi Gondwana grabens. The study revealed presence of a prominent high velocity (6.2-6.5 km/s) hidden ridge structure, which is 30 to 50 km wide and located at a shallow subsurface depth beneath the Nellore Schist Belt and Eastern Ghats Belt. It underlies below Kaligiri-Duttaluru along the Kavali-Parnapalle profile, Darsi-Addanki along the Alampur-Koniki-Ganapeswaram profile and Sattupalli-Ashwaraopet in Kallur-Polavaram profile. This ridge structure is conspicuously characterized by high gravity anomaly gradients from -90 to -15 mGal. Gravity patterns over these regions further indicate that this ridge which appears to continue from the north of Chennai to Bhavanipatna region in Bastar Craton, may have been formed due to the collision of East Antarctic terrain with eastern Indian Shield after the cessation of supra-subduction at the end of Mesoproterozoic. Further, this ridge structure is flanked by Proterozoic sediments on either side; in Cuddapah Basin on its western side and East Coast Sedimentary Basin on its eastern side, which together with the possible occurrence of Proterozoic sediments in other basins, would indicate that the extent of Proterozoic sedimentation was much larger than hitherto known. We suggest that this region was rifting during Paleo-Mesoproterozoic period and possibly a shallow marine basin existed, when it was an integral part of the Columbia supercontinent assembly. It underwent another rifting phase and denudation during the Gondwana period as indicated by thin patches of Gondwana sediments which are lined up all along the east coast. Quite likely, the rifting between India and Antarctica during the Gondwana super assembly period initiated in the Permo-Triassic Gondwana period itself, with final separation taking place much later during early Cretaceous period.

A New Method for Thermocline and Halocline Depth Determination at Shallow Seas

Abstract This paper introduces a new method for finding the top of thermocline (TTD) and halocline (THD) depths that may become a powerful tool for applications in shallow marine basins around the world. The method calculates the moving average of the ocean vertical profile’s short-scale spatial variability (standard deviation) and then processes it to determine the potential depth at which temperature or salinity rapidly changes. The method has been calibrated using an extensive set of data from the ecohydrodynamic model EcoFish. As a result of the calibration, the values of the input parameters that allowed the correct determination of TTD and THD were established. It was confirmed by the validation carried out on the in situ profiles collected by the research vessel S/Y Oceania during statutory cruises in the southern Baltic Sea. The “MovSTD” algorithm was then used to analyze the seasonal variability of the vertical structure of the waters in Gdańsk Deep for temperature and salinity. The thermocline deepening speed was also estimated in the region analyzed.

Geological and structural position of the Svetlinsky gold deposit (Southern Urals)

The paper presents the geological and structural position of the large Svetlinsky gold deposit in the Kochkar anticline (Southern Urals), localized in the zone of the Late Paleozoic (D3) deep thrust of the western dip. The study confirms and clarifies the notion of its multiphase and polychronism. The thrust caused bending moments in its wings, subsidence of the lying crust, emergence of a shallow marine basin with rapid accumulation of terrigenous carbonate sediments (C1v), and formation of numerous landslide structures. The heating of rocks in the anticline core was accompanied by granitization and dome formation. A small Svetlinsky dome formed in the immediate vicinity of the thrust, creating a thermobaric gradient field (С2). The zone of dome dynamic influence also includes the adjoining thrust area, complicated by a series of sub-vertical thrusts of sub meridional strike and numerous steeply dipping subparallel cracks of the latitudinal strike, synchronously filled with vein quartz and accompanied by hydrothermal metasomatic rock transformations. The formation of the gold deposit occurred during the post-collisional relaxation stage (from P1 to, probably, the Early Jurassic). The association of gold mineralization with the Svetlinsky dome is indicated by the presence of native gold in Neogene ravine placers in the dome area and marbles of the Svetlinsky deposit, in association with fluorite, F-phlogopite, Cr-muscovite, pink topaz, pure quartz, and native sulphur. The presence of native gold in Neogene ravine placers in the dome area and marbles of the Svetlinsky deposit, in association with fluorite, F-phlogopite, Cr-muscovite, pink topaz, pure quartz, and native sulphur, indicates the association of gold mineralization with the Svetlinsky dome.

Turonian-Senonian organic-rich sedimentary strata and coal facies in Parnassos-Ghiona Unit, Central Greece: An assessment of palaeoenvironmental setting and hydrocarbon generation potential

In the past few years, scientific research related to the hydrocarbon potential in Greece has been focused on the formations of the Ionian Unit in the western areas of the country, where oil-seepages are well known. In contrast, Parnassos-Ghiona geotectonic Unit (PGU), Central Mainland Greece, has mainly been studied for the presence of bauxite ores. However, Upper-Cretaceous organic-rich strata, including local coal lenses, are occurring on top of the b3 bauxite horizon across PGU. In the present study, two underground mine sites, at Vagoneto and Gouves, where coal lenses occur, as well as an outcrop of the b3 bauxite horizon and the overlying gray limestone (PBF section) have been studied by means of organic petrology, mineralogy and inorganic geochemistry, as well as Rock-Eval analysis. The aim of the study is to evaluate the palaeoenvironmental conditions that favoured the organic matter accumulation subsequently to the bauxite formation, as well as the assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of the Upper Cretaceous strata within PGU. The study of the sections of interest revealed the establishment of three different modes of organic matter depositional settings, including paralic mires on the top of the lateritic mud deposition, paralic mires developed upon the Lower Cretaceous limestone bedrock, as well as shallow-marine basins with limited water circulation, followed by a deepening trend upwards. The low/very low grade humic coal lenses at the Vagoneto and Gouves sites formed by accumulation of mostly herbaceous plants, being characterized by elevated amounts of detrovitrinite and inertinite, and variable amounts of liptinites usually in the form of sporinite and alginite. Accordingly, the Rock-Eval data indicate the occurrence of all kerogen types, with the Types III and IV generally prevailing. The overall coal-petrographic data indicate intense oxidation in the palaeo-mires, possibly related to the dry warm Turonian climate and/or the influence of brackish waters. Additionally, the thermal maturity derived from both vitrinite reflectance and Rock-Eval analysis, point to Medium Rank Bituminous coals or, in terms of hydrocarbon generation, to the early oil window stage. The data suggest a good-to-excellent gas potential for Parnassos-Ghiona Unit, whereas the oil-potential seems to be limited.

Middle to Late Jurassic palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic trends in the Euro-Boreal region: Geochemical insights from East Greenland belemnites

During the Middle and Late Jurassic, Europe and the Boreal regions formed a network of semi-restricted, relatively shallow marine basins. Consequently, stable oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope records from belemnites were strongly influenced by changes in palaeoceanography and climate. New data from eastern Greenland, which formed the western margin of the critical Viking Corridor (the narrow seaway that linked the Tethys to the Boreal realm), and compiled data from the Subboreal Province and Tethys Realms are examined together. In both territories, increases in δ18Obel across the Lower and Middle Jurassic boundary indicate that cooling occurred, although this appears to be temporally offset and of variable magnitude across the western Subboreal Province and Tethys Realm. This suggests that changes in ocean current patterns played a major role in governing the δ18Obel signal. The Middle to Upper Jurassic transition is characterised by relatively heavy δ18Obel values in the Subboreal Province, but is less pronounced in the northwest Tethys, suggesting that this trend may have been caused by a strengthening of a southward current bringing colder Boreal waters southwards. The uppermost Jurassic shows increases in both δ18Obel and δ13Cbel, consistent with the observed VOICE event as recorded in Boreal terrestrial organic matter δ13C, and supporting this evidence that the Boreal realm become isolated from the lower latitudes across the Jurassic – Cretaceous boundary.

Methane Occurrence and Quantification in a Very Shallow Water Environment: A Multidisciplinary Approach

AbstractIn the last decades, geological degassing in shallow marine environments has been recognized as a significant contributor to atmospheric methane, hence to the global‐warming potential. Especially in shallow water environments, a proper assessment of the distribution, quantification and migration pathways of methane within the sediments is fundamental to help forecasting the amount that could leak and eventually reach the atmosphere. Traditionally, velocity anomalies from seismic data are the ones used to assess the occurrence of gas and its concentration. However, in shallow‐waters (<30 m), the post‐critical conditions make the near‐surface velocity estimation from P‐wave reflections extremely challenging, requiring an integrated approach. Here, we propose an original joint analysis of seismic data and geophysical logs, together with information from drilling reports, with the aim of characterizing and quantifying the gas along two crossing multichannel seismic profiles in the Northern Adriatic Sea, a very shallow marine basin where methane occurrence within the sedimentary succession is widespread. We estimated the gas distribution from resistivity anomalies, which are correlated with the seismic response associated with the presence of gas through the signal frequency content. Our results show a different concentration pattern in the two seismic profiles, revealing that gas is both diffuse ad concentrated in local accumulations, in agreement with the gas‐related features already identified on the seismic data. Gas concentration appears to be locally associated to the tectonic features identified in the area, indicating that faults act as preferential conduits for gas migration, locally reaching the seafloor and seeping in the water column.

Hydrological differences between the Lutetian Paris and Hampshire basins revealed by stable isotopes of conid gastropods

During the Eocene greenhouse (56.0–33.9 Ma), northwest Europe was dominated by a semi-arid para-tropical climate but the paleohydrological conditions are poorly known. To gain more insight into seasonal hydrological conditions in the region, we compare Lutetian (middle Eocene, ∼ 44–45 Ma) mollusk δ18O records from two shallow marine basins on either side of the English Channel,i.e., the Paris and Hampshire Basins. The semi-circular Paris Basin was open to the Atlantic Ocean, while the Hampshire Basin was more enclosed and influenced by the draining of several rivers. The proximity of the basins and the similarity of their faunal assemblages suggest that they experienced roughly similar seawater temperatures but the seasonal hydrology is expected to have been different between these basins. Among the numerous mollusks present in both basins are several members of Conidae, a gastropod family that is particularly well-suited for paleoseasonality reconstructions. To assess the paleohydrological differences between these basins we analyzed the stable oxygen isotopic composition of three specimens ofEoconus deperditusfrom the Banc à Verrains in the middle part of the Calcaire Grossier Formation of the Paris Basin (France), and three specimens ofEoconus edwardsifrom the Shepherd’s Gutter Bed in the upper part of the Selsey Formation of the Hampshire Basin (United Kingdom). While the seasonal variability appears to have been similar between these basins, the δ18O values of the Hampshire Basin specimens are consistently lower than those in the Paris Basin, suggesting a regional difference in δ18Oswof 1–2‰ between the basins. This difference in δ18Oswwas likely related to the greater influence of fluvial discharge within the Hampshire basin, compared to the Paris Basin.

The Delta of Shatt Al-Arab River, Framework and Evolution

Shatt Al-Arab Delta was built at the northern end of the Arabian Gulf (AG) on the top of a longitudinal shallow marine basin shape. Today the hydrologic regime of Shatt Al-Arab River is suffering from many changes caused by anthropogenic activity impacts, led to a significant decrease in water feeding about 1000 m3/sec in 1990 into less than 50m3/sec in 2016. Many previous studies have been discussed as well as performing a marine geophysical surveys to assess the evolution of Shatt Al-Arab Delta during the history. Many phenomenon and progradational parts of the Delta: Prodelta, distributary channel, bay fill, and beach ridge have been identified from marine geophysical survey. The lower reflector is appear as irregular surface, which could indicate the presence of an ancient beach that appear as a terraces region due to fluctuation in the sea level. The second reflector appear as a layer have had variation depth, which may represent a beginning of the ancient delta creation after of the sea level stability (< 5000 years ago). The top layers have been deposited, which represent the present day delta. This present result suggests that there are three phases of delta evolution during history, the first phase represents the beginning of the modern origin of this delta during 1000-2000 yr. ago when the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are connected together, at that time the delta was not so large and have been formed by the excess sediment that coming from the marshes after the two Rivers dumping most of their sedimentary load there. The second phase represents the activation of this delta with stabilized coastline, especially after the manmade connection between Karun and Shatt Al-Arab Rivers, which occurred before thousand years ago. The third phase represents the last half of the previous century when several factors contributed on the evolution of Shatt Al-Arab delta, including hydrological, climatological and anthropogenic factors.

Early Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of northern Yangtze Block: Insights from sedimentary sequences from the Dahongshan area

Precambrian sedimentary strata are widely distributed along the periphery of the Yangtze Block. However, the age, provenance and tectonic setting of the sedimentary successions on the northern margin still remain unclear, which exerted considerable influence on the understanding of Precambrian crustal evolution of the Yangtze Block. Here we report integrated detrital zircon U-Pb dates and Lu-Hf isotopes from the Dahongshan area to the northeast of the nuclei (i.e. the Kongling Complex) of the Yangtze Block. The youngest U-Pb dates of 995 Ma and 810 Ma of detrital zircon grains place constraints on the maximum depositional ages of the underlying Dagushi Group and the overlying Huashan Group, respectively. Both groups show pre-Mesoproterozoic age populations at ca. 2050 Ma and ca. 2700 Ma and corresponding εHf(t) values varying from –24.1 to + 2.3, consistent with counterparts of the Kongling Complex and Yangpo Complex in northern Yangtze Block. The εHf(t) values of Neoproterozoic (1000–800 Ma) detrital zircon grains in the Huashan Group show a decrease after ca. 880 Ma (from + 13.5 to –18.5), possibly indicating a transition from arc-continent collision to continental arc setting on the northern margin of the Yangtze Block. In combination with sedimentary characteristics and the new isotopic results, the Dagushi Group probably formed in a shallow marine basin setting and received dominant detritus from the Kongling and Yangpo complexes. In contrast, the Huashan Group received sediments recycled from the underlying Dagushi Group and contemporary igneous rocks in the Dahongshan and Kongling areas. The changes in provenance and tectonic setting recorded in the two sedimentary sequences suggest a tectonic transition from late Mesoproterozoic passive continental margin to Neoproterozoic subduction and accretion in response to the amalgamation of Rodinia supercontinent. On the basis of distinct location and history, Pre-Nanhua Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences distributed in the periphery of Yangtze Block are dispersed into four separate domains. Through bivariate kernel density estimates and bootstrap resampling method, we have identified that these domains were characterized by asynchronous igneous impulse and heterogeneous character of igneous activity in early Neoproterozoic along with varying degrees of integration of crustal growth and reworking.

The Skuggliberga unit of the Oppdal area, central Scandinavian Caledonides: calc-alkaline pyroclastic volcanism in a fluvial to shallow-marine basin following a mid-Ordovician orogenic event

The Skuggliberga unit of the Oppdal area, central Scandinavian Caledonides: calc-alkaline pyroclastic volcanism in a fluvial to shallow-marine basin following a mid-Ordovician orogenic event

Refining the depositional model of the lower Permian Carynginia Formation in the northern Perth Basin: anatomy of an ancient mouth bar

The late early Permian coincided with a short-lived cold episode in Western Australia, which occurred long after the demise of late Paleozoic ice sheets, and is manifested by conspicuous dropstones in corresponding marine strata. In the northern Perth Basin, this time interval is represented by the Carynginia Formation, which has long been regarded as a record of low-energy marginal-marine sedimentation. The low-diversity body-fossil content and impoverished trace-fossil assemblages in the formation were recognised as evidence of low salinities, low dissolved-oxygen levels and high suspended-sediment concentrations presumably related to freshwater influxes into a restricted basin. However, sedimentary facies indicative of river processes have yet to be documented to explain the sedimentological and paleontological character of the formation. This study examines an overlooked sandstone-rich interval of the Carynginia Formation in the Irwin Sub-basin, a marginal half graben faulted against crystalline basement of the Yilgarn Craton and forming part of a series of late Paleozoic intracratonic rift basins in Western Australia. Facies analysis indicates that the lower part of the interval is dominated by storm-generated deposits containing extraformational pebbles and boulders. These deposits are interpreted as recording lower-shoreface sedimentation under the influence of seasonal sea ice, and constitute a shallower, sandstone-rich equivalent of mudstone-prone strata that otherwise characterise the Carynginia Formation. The upper part of the interval consists of river-borne deposits representing friction-dominated deposition of a river-mouth bar, the first direct record of deltaic sedimentation in the Carynginia Formation. The stratal organisation of mouth-bar bedsets is likely the result of successive sediment-laden pulses related to seasonal floods in a shallow marine basin, and the autogenic evolution of the mouth-bar complex in response to fluctuating river discharge and compensational stacking. Formative runoff events were arguably responsible for reductions in salinity and the introduction of turbid buoyant plumes into the shallow sea that were adverse to faunal development. A fluvial influence may explain the sedimentary character and fossil content of coeval mudstone-prone formations in Western Australian rift basins, especially in the vicinity of cratonic margins. KEY POINTS The lower Permian (late Artinskian–Kungurian) mudstone-prone Carynginia Formation in the northern Perth Basin has long been regarded as the record of low-energy, marginal-marine conditions in a cold-water seaway. The low-diversity fossil content in the lower part of the formation indicates stressed physico-chemical conditions influenced by freshwater, sediment-laden influxes. The described mouth-bar deposits are the first direct evidence of deltaic sedimentation in the Carynginia Formation, demonstrating that river outflows likely controlled water chemistry and impacted faunal development.